Cystenchyma

/sɪˈsten.kɪ.mə/ noun

Definition

Plant tissue composed of cells with hollow spaces or cavities, found in aquatic and marsh plants and serving as flotation tissue.

Etymology

From Greek kystis (bladder or cavity) combined with enchyma (from enchein, to pour in), creating a term meaning 'tissue with cavities.' This term appeared in botanical literature in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

Cystenchyma is nature's life jacket—plants like water lilies and cattails fill it with air to float, and if you've ever felt how spongy a water plant is when you pull it up, you were touching cystenchyma doing its job of keeping the plant buoyant.

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